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GAA17CA186

2017-03-12 · Hillsboro, Oregon, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 7S3

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in quartering tailwind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll with a "light quartering tailwind," the airplane veered off the runway to the left into soft mud and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observation station 7 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded variable wind at 5 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 2. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll with a "light quartering tailwind," the airplane veered off the runway to the left into soft mud and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observation station, located 7 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded variable wind at 5 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 2. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Contributed to outcome
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Response/compensation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA186.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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